Sydney Events

Australia Day
Around the city and on the harbour Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2000

Sydney becomes the perfect playground for passionate Aussies to celebrate what makes our vibrant country great. What better way to pay tribute to our unique cultural identity than amongst Sydney’s stunning landmarks – Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the surrounding foreshores and Hyde Park which are transformed into Sydney’s biggest backyard. The magic starts at dawn with the Woggan-ma-gule Indigenous morning ceremony at Farm Cove, followed by the Herefords Great Aussie BBQ in Hyde Park and the Talls Ship and ferry races on spectacular Sydney Harbour.

Australian Open Golf Championship
New South Wales Golf Club Henry Head Road, Botany Bay National Park La Perouse Sydney Suburbs New South Wales 2036

The Australian Open national golf championship will be played at the breathtaking New South Wales Golf Club La Perouse. Surrounded by National Park and located on Botany Bay headland, the New South Wales Golf Club boasts spectacular views over the course to the Pacific Ocean and is rated in the top 50 golf courses in the world.

Chinese New Year Festival
Chinatown and other areas in the City of Sydney Haymarket Sydney New South Wales 2000

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger in Sydney in February. City of Sydney’s annual Chinese New Year Festival is the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia. Anchored by a major street parade of international standard, the Festival includes more than 40 fantastic events produced by arts organisations, museums and community groups celebrating the Lunar New Year. The Festival includes a diverse mix of performances, exhibitions, film screenings, sporting events, tours, lectures, food events and social occasions. Highlights of this year's Festival include the official launch, Chinese New Year Markets, Chinese New Year Twilight Parade and Dragon Boat Races.

Darling Harbour New Years Eve
Palm Grove and the Aquashell, Harbourside Amphitheatre Darling Harbour Sydney New South Wales 2000

Herald in the new year under the glow of two massive fireworks displays and the glitter of one giant mirror ball! DISCO UNDER THE STARS Palm Grove will be transformed into Disco under the Stars where Andy Jones and the Funky Monkey will keep the kids dancing until the 9pm fireworks. Then one of Sydney’s top DJs will take over to spin disco beats long into the night. 7pm – 1am, Palm Grove NYE RETRO CONCERT See out the year as the Super Supremes belt out great soul hits, the Gotham City Horns get big, bold and brassy and the Michael Jackson Dance Tribute keep the steps of the King of Pop alive. 8pm – midnight, Aquashell, Harbourside Amphitheatre FIREWORKS ON COCKLE BAY Two huge fireworks displays will light up the sky over Cockle Bay at 9pm and midnight. Darling Harbour New Year’s Eve is proudly produced by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

Golden Slipper Festival - AAMI Golden Slipper Day
Sydney Turf Club Rosehill Racecourse Rosehill Sydney Suburbs New South Wales 2142

The best in the horseracing business are making their way to Sydney for AAMI Golden Slipper Day, the richest day of racing on the Australian calendar and the finale of the Golden Slipper Festival. AAMI Golden Slipper Day draws horses from around Australia to Rosehill Gardens to compete for more than AUD7 million in prize money in an eight-race program, which features five group one races. The signature event is the AAMI Golden Slipper, a 1,200 metre sprint for the brightest two-year-old thoroughbreds in Australia, worth AUD3.5 million and often much more in the breeding stakes for the winner and its connections.

Mardi Gras Festival
Various Venues Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2000

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is set to be another tremendous festival with a line up of artistic talent alongside fabulous ways to while away the hours! Mardi Gras Festival promises to be high quality, high camp and high diversity with events across Sydney for you to watch or participate in. There will be visual arts galore and the Mardi Gras Youth Festival, with a program that will be packed with a huge variety of events.

Sydney Festival First Night
City of Sydney and Surrounding Areas Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2000

Festival First Night returns for its third year with an epic, outdoor celebration to mark the opening of the Festival. It’s all free and you‘re invited. With the streets again cleared of cars, over 600 major local and international musicians, dancers and artists from around the globe will explode onto open-air stages across the Central Business District. This is an opportunity to catch some of the biggest names in the Festival for free.

Sydney International Film Festival
State Theatre Market Street Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2000

Get your blood pumping, your heart throbbing, your mind wandering and your toes tapping. The Sydney Film Festival is here, so get off your couch and experience some fantastic new films! Screening the best new films from around the world, right here in Sydney. To celebrate this year’s new films, the festival is also hosting a range of talks with the creators of films featured in the Official Competition.

Sydney Telstra 500
Olympic Boulevard Sydney Olympic Park Sydney Suburbs New South Wales 2127

Include the Sydney Telstra 500 in your travel itinerary for three days of non-stop entertainment in one of the world's greatest holiday destinations! Free entry to Friday night and Saturday night concerts is included with your same day ticket - a massive line-up packed with world renowned bands. Experience celebrities and sporting stars, carnival rides, the international food village, displays and more, and be there as the V8 Supercar Champion is crowned.

Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company Hickson Road Walsh Bay Sydney New South Wales 2000

Sydney Theatre is Sydney's premier theatre for drama and dance, located on the Harbour at Walsh Bay. Sydney Theatre presents a year-round program of Australian and international theatre events. Sydney Theatre is a state-of-the-art home for the best Australian and international performing arts. The space comprises an impressive 896-seat auditorium with outstanding technical capabilities as well as a sprung-floor rehearsal studio, spacious function room and stylish, sweeping foyer spaces. Throughout the year, Sydney Theatre plays host to up to four productions from the Sydney Theatre Company as well as dance and drama productions from the best-loved companies from Australia and around the world.

Sydney to Hobart Race - Boxing Day at Q Station
Q Station 1 North Head Scenic Drive Manly Sydney Suburbs New South Wales 2095

Station boasts spectacular views of the Harbour, the perfect vantage point for watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. Bring your own picnic hamper and relax with friends and family to watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race at one of the least crowded spots overlooking Sydney Harbour.